The Colorado General Assembly’s 2022 legislative session was often defined by the personalities leading the debate on some of the top issues facing the state.
Here are some of the memorable quotes from the session.
“We must double down on our promise to help every business and family succeed. That means taking less of your hard-earned money in fees and taxes, and putting more in your pockets and paychecks.”
-Gov. Jared Polis laying out his priorities during his State of the State address early in the 2022 session. Polis, who is in the final year of his term and is seeking reelection with a disciplined affordability message, pledged to cut taxes, reduce or waive fees, and eliminate government-imposed financial barriers to starting a business.
“The Democrats are working very quickly to delay implementation of lots of new fees that they created just last year. I hope that voters pay attention to that”
–Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, R-Douglas County in response to Polis’ State of the State messaging centering on affordability. Republicans charged the root of Colorado’s affordability crisis can be traced back to policies the governor and his allies in the legislature have adopted in the last few years.
“We want to stop crime before it happens. We want to stop people, especially young people, from entering the system in the first place, and to provide those who do with the tools they need to turn their lives around.”
-House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, in his opening day address focusing on public safety, quality education and economic relief for Colorado’s nearly six million residents. Garnett would go on to sponsor a bill to address the growing fentanyl crisis, legislation critics charge would lead to more Coloradans entering the criminal justice system.
“Even while making claims to be getting tough on crime, they have passed, and the governor has signed, legislation making Colorado less safe. It is no wonder why criminals are able to get away with so much today.”
-House Minority Leader Hugh McKean in his opening day address, which shared the same goals as Garnett’s but sharply differed in the diagnosis of the challenges and the solutions they want the state to adopt. Though he highlighted previous legislation that shortened sentencing for the possession of 4 grams of fentanyl or less to a misdemeanor, something Garnett’s bill sough to address, McKean ultimately voted against the measure.
Read More: 2022 SESSION: Quotes that told the story | Legislature